I recently re-watched the great rom-com Always Be My Maybe starring Ali Wong and Randall Park. The movie is littered with laugh out loud humor woven throughout completely uncomfortable situations. My favorite scene is when Randall’s character Marcus is trying to buy a nice suit for a big red carpet event. His first option is to go ultra glam so he marches right into Tom Ford for a custom fit. While in the midst of getting the royal treatment because he claims to be a friend of Keanu Reeves, Marcus sees that the price tag of the dress shirt alone is $12,500, and proceeds to literally spit his complimentary champagne all over the full-length mirror. And that’s not even the funniest part.
Marcus ends up at a cheap menswear chain in a strip mall and makes his selection from a rounder of suits by size. When a salesman comes over to assist him, Marcus says, “I’ll take this suit for $219.38 because it comes with a belt and two pair of pants.” And the sales guy chimes in by adding, “It’s a very versatile ensemble. It’s great for court dates, entry level job interviews, and high school reunions when you don’t want them to know how successful you are.” I just think the dialogue is a riot!
Picking the perfect outfit always presents a challenge for me. Having attended conferences, cocktail parties, seminars, special events, client parties, holiday fetes, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and the like, the seemingly easy drill of finding something to wear is daunting. And when the event or series of events involves a trip, I of course rely on my handy dandy Ultimate Packing List as specific outfits need careful attention. (Check out my post First Showing if you are in need of the UPL.)
Packing for work trips in particular can be quite an ordeal. I usually need travel outfits a step or two below the formality of a suit that are still comfortable and don’t wrinkle, cocktail attire, tennis clothes, in room loungewear, and daytime event separates that look good with or without a jacket, along with an array of footwear options. My goal is never to appear suggestive in the slightest, and be causal, but professional with an unexpected twist, savvy and stylish, not really to stand out but to be memorable. Yeah, a total nightmare. I’ve done the all black look, the pleather skirt, the Grecian sandals, organza button down, maxi coats, prairie skirts, puffy sleeves, monochromatic, dramatic boots, fashionable hats (although I was the only one who thought so), belted jackets, statement necklaces, hair ribbons, multi-bracelets, glitter moisturizer, and fabulous mini purses. I don’t have a signature look, but I do wear a lot of scarves and I favor a pop of color. (I have two friends– Kristin and Janey and they just love pearls for every occasion, which I admire, and they always look polished and professional.) I must admit that I’ve had a few admirers, and yes most of them were of course women. But some people have hated my outfits and made snarky comments, which only boosted my confidence because I’m an adult and can wear what I want!
I’ve heard that many women are so desperate to find a reason to get glam that they are dressing up in fancy black tie clothing and calling it Vaccine Chic when it’s their turn to receive the COVID shot. (Some are up in arms over this.) I say good for them! But you couldn’t pay me enough to pull out the frills, fringes, satin, and sequins just to be masked and injected in stilettos. (No Spanx!)
I hope to never walk a red carpet in my life, but I am excited to be camera ready once again when in person events are back on the calendar… like my first local networking event tonight! I’m even mentally considering outfit options for two upcoming work trips that aren’t until late summer! I think with the two-month window of time to prepare, packing for me should be a snap.
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